Flags For Heroes

02/14/2024

Flags For Heroes event will return to Myerstown with a new twist.

It has been a familiar sight for the last seven years. On both Memorial Day weekend and 4th of July weekend, anyone who drives by the Frieden’s Lutheran Church along Route 422 in Myerstown is treated to an impressive sight – about 200 American flags flying on the lawn to honor our fallen military, first responder, and community heroes, with individual names displayed on a large banner near the church parking lot.

That beautiful scene will happen again at the same time in 2024, but this time the annual event will be kicked off with a special Opening Ceremony on the morning of Saturday, May 25th at 10am.

The event has always been organized by the Myerstown-Elco Rotary Club. But this year, the team is collaborating with the Myerstown VFW to create the ceremony. Details are still in the planning stage, but you are asked to save the date, so you can be part of the celebration.

“We are happy we get so much community support for this event,” says Rotary Project Leader Dennis Dieffenbach, “the addition of a special Opening Ceremony with the help of our Myerstown VFW friends should help us make 2024 the best year ever for our Flags for Heroes event!”

Look for future news releases that provide more details.

Planning team – Dennis Dieffenbach and Jack Cantwell (Myerstown-Elco Rotary Club) and Tom Buck and Peter Hook (Myerstown VFW).

06/01/2022

Another successful Flags for Heroes campaign by the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club took place over Memorial Day weekend. A big Thank You to so many people and businesses who sponsored a Hero and/or sponsored the event.

This year’s campaign raised $10,000 that will be used right here in our local community.

2022 Corporate/Business Sponsors include:
Choice Communications
Eagle Rental
Kitchens Inside and Out, LLC
A.H. Moyer, INC.
The Wenger Foundation
Hackman Paving, Inc.
Woodland Contractors, Inc.
MGD Tractor and Equipment

A special Thank You to Smith’s Candies for allowing us to display our trailer and banner and to all who helped with the flag display and lighting.

05/19/2022

I trust most people have seen the Flags for Heroes trailer parked at Smith’s Candies along Rt. 422 in Myerstown.

The campaign is in full swing and it’s shaping up to be another successful event. If you haven’t sponsored your Hero, please consider doing so. Since 2017, the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club Flags for Heroes event has raised more than $23,000 for the local Heroes in our community. Deadline is Tuesday May 24th. Log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com for more info and to sponsor a Hero or click on https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MSD72K6ZUFJY8 to donate through Paypal.

Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.

Thank you for your support.

05/04/2022

The 2022 Flags For Heroes Campaign has officially begun.
Please read and share with all of your friends and let’s make this the best year yet.
Since our first campaign in 2017, the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club’s Flags For Heroes event has donated over $23,000 to local fire companies and EMT stations as well as PA Wounded Warriors.
The Flags For Heroes trailer is stationed at Smith’s Candies on Rt. 422 in Myerstown. Stop in for a sponsor form and make sure to stock up on some candy.
Please consider sponsoring a flag for $50 to honor a hero. It can be someone who has or is serving our country, a 1st Responder, Teacher, Coach or anyone else who has been a hero in your life.
Flags will be 3 X 5 feet, pole mounted and will be displayed over Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend along Rt. 422 at Friedens Lutheran Church in Myerstown.
Log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com for more info and to sponsor a hero or click on https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MSD72K6ZUFJY8 to donate through Paypal.
Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.
Thank you for your support.

04/15/2021

We’re kicking off the 2021 Flags For Heroes Campaign—our 5th year!

Please read and share with all your friends and let’s make this the best year yet.

Since our first campaign in 2017, the Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club’s Flags For Heroes event has donated over $23,000 to local fire companies and EMT stations as well as PA Wounded Warriors.

Please consider sponsoring a flag for $50 to honor a hero. It can be someone who has or is serving our country, a 1st Responder, Teacher, Coach or anyone else who has been a hero in your life.

Flags will be 3 X 5 feet, pole mounted and will be displayed over Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend along Rt. 422 at Friedens Lutheran Church in Myerstown.

Log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com for more info and to sponsor a Hero or click on https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=MSD72K6ZUFJY8 to donate through Paypal.

Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.

Thank you for your support.

Transfer money online in seconds with PayPal money transfer. All you need is an email address.

06/26/2020

Final countdown for Flags For Heroes. Please log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com and sponsor a Hero before the deadline of Monday June 29th. Flags will be displayed again along with a banner listing all our Heroes, over the July 4th weekend at Friedens Lutheran Church in Myerstown. Everybody knows a Hero, Who's your Hero?

06/10/2020

Everyone knows a Hero. Who's your Hero?
When you hear a siren anytime of the day or night, what's the first thing you think of? Something bad happened, someone hurt? Is it a family member, friend? Perhaps you don't think about it.
Please don't wait until you hear a siren.... think about it now. When sirens go off, some people drop everything and rush to danger, anytime of the day and night.
During these crazy times we can count on our community first responders as we always have.
Do not take this for granted.
First responders have families, work commitments and everyday stuff to deal with just like everyone else. Yet they go through continuous extensive training, hold fund raisers AND serve their community.
Let's support them. Support them through Flags for Heroes or support them by sending them a donation directly, but support them. AND Thank Them.
www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com

06/04/2020

We’re gearing up the 2020 Flags for Heroes campaign and we hope that you will consider sponsoring a flag for $50 in honor of a Hero or Heroes. All funds raised go directly back into our local community. Sponsorship deadline is June 29.
You can stop by Smith’s Candies or Tom B. Morrissey TV and Appliances to pick up a sponsor form or log on to
www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com and make your sponsorship via PayPal, or print a mail-in form and make payment with a check. Corporate and professional sponsorship opportunities are also available for $250, $500 or $1,000.
A banner listing the names of all the Heroes will be displayed July 4th weekend along with the flags at Frieden's Lutheran Church. When we displayed the flags over Memorial Day weekend, this photo was posted and shared by 60 people, reaching nearly 6,000 people!
Please join us in recognizing our Heroes! Together, we can make a difference.
Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.
Thank you for your support.
Dennis Dieffenbach
Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club
Flags for Heroes Chairperson

05/27/2020

We removed the flags and stored them away until 4th of July weekend. Big shout out to Mike and Tess Puglio and their two sons Chad and Alex for helping to display the flags and helping to put them away. Chad graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in June 2019 with a:
BS in Marine Engineering
US Coast Guard License (Which allows him to sail as a licensed engineer aboard US flag commercial container ships and cargo vessels)
Commission in the US Naval Reserve
He is currently:
A Third Assistant Engineer in the United States Merchant Marine sailing commercially through the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) Union
He is currently home after sailing for 5 months aboard the Maersk Kinloss.
An Ensign in the US Naval Reserve

Alex is beginning his 3rd year at the United States Merchant Marine Academy as a 2nd Class Midshipman

He is majoring in Marine Engineering and in the middle of the 2nd of 2 sailing periods required at the Academy (a full year at sea during their 4 years).
He is currently home awaiting his next Cadet ship assignment.

Just another example of community volunteers. Thanks to all!

05/25/2020

Memorial Day is all about celebrating the lives of the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Let us never forget.

05/22/2020

The Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club Flags for Heroes committee installed the flags Thursday evening. Please take the time to drive by Friedens Church on Rt. 422 in Myerstown to see them. It's a sight that never gets old.

Listed below is a former post regarding the changes we made due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, our heroes need us more than ever. From nurses and doctors to first responders to truck drivers and mail carriers—just to name a few—we have come to realize just how many heroes are among us.

Given the circumstances, we are approaching Flags for Heroes a bit differently this year. As restrictions become more relaxed over the coming weeks, we expect to display our flags over Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend as we have in the past. However, we are getting a later start in asking for flag sponsorships. The banner listing the Heroes will be displayed July 4th weekend.

We hope that you will consider supporting Flags for Heroes again this year. As a reminder, all funds raised go directly back into our community. You can log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com and make your sponsorship via PayPal, or print a mail in form and make payment with a check. We ask that you submit your sponsorships by June 29, 2020. Corporate and professional sponsorship opportunities are also available for $250, $500 or $1,000.

This year has been difficult for many of us, but better days are ahead. Please join us in recognizing our heroes during a time when they need it the most. Together, we can make a difference.

Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.

Thank you for your support.

Dennis Dieffenbach

Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club

Flags for Heroes Chairperson

05/22/2020

The Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club Flags for Heroes committee installed the flags Thursday evening. Please take the time to drive by Friedens Church on Rt. 422 in Myerstown to see them. It's a sight that never gets old.
Listed below is a former post regarding the changes we made due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, our heroes need us more than ever. From nurses and doctors to first responders to truck drivers and mail carriers—just to name a few—we have come to realize just how many heroes are among us.

Given the circumstances, we are approaching Flags for Heroes a bit differently this year. As restrictions become more relaxed over the coming weeks, we expect to display our flags over Memorial Day weekend and July 4th weekend as we have in the past. However, we are getting a later start in asking for flag sponsorships. The banner listing the Heroes will be displayed July 4th weekend.

We hope that you will consider supporting Flags for Heroes again this year. As a reminder, all funds raised go directly back into our community. You can log on to www.elcorotaryflagsforheroes.com and make your sponsorship via PayPal, or print a mail in form and make payment with a check. We ask that you submit your sponsorships by June 29, 2020. Corporate and professional sponsorship opportunities are also available for $250, $500 or $1,000.

This year has been difficult for many of us, but better days are ahead. Please join us in recognizing our heroes during a time when they need it the most. Together, we can make a difference.

Feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or 717-202-9752.

Thank you for your support.

Dennis Dieffenbach
Myerstown-ELCO Rotary Club
Flags for Heroes Chairperson